UAE airlines restrict Philippines flights to transit passengers

Emirates and Etihad will not allow UAE passengers to fly to the Philippines until 31 May

Both Emirates and Etihad Airways will only operate scheduled services to the Philippines for passengers transiting through the UAE. 

The decision came as a result of a directive from the Philippines government, which has banned the entry of all travellers from both the UAE and Oman until 31 May. All travellers coming from Oman and the UAE, and those with travel history to these two countries within 14 days preceding arrival, are prohibited from entering the Philippines until 31 May.

The flight restrictions were imposed amid concerns in the Philippines over the new coronavirus variant first detected in India, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said: “All travellers coming from Oman and the UAE or those with travel history to these two countries within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines beginning May 15 until May 31.”

In a statement, Etihad said: “In line with the latest directives issued by the government of the Philippines, passengers from the UAE and Oman will not be accepted for travel to Manila effective Friday, 14 May until further notice, with the exemption of Filipino citizens who are part of the government repatriation programme. This is in addition to the current ban on travel from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.”

This was echoed in a statement from Emirates, which outlined that passengers originating in the UAE would not be allowed to travel to any destinations in the Philippines.